Nighttime is the right time: Film fest poster revealed

The Las Cruces International Film Festival revealed its official poster Friday, Jan. 25, at the Las Cruces Museum of Nature and Science. The museum, filled with party guests, provided a dramatic backdrop for the event.

LCIFF Executive Director Ross Marks spoke prior to the unveiling, explaining that each year festival organizers work to identify a local artist to create a collectible poster.
Christina Ballew is the first woman in the festival’s four-year run to design the poster.

“She has created what I believe is a truly exceptional poster,” Marks said.

Festival Executive Producer Marsha San Filippo expressed excitement about the 2019 film festival.

“I think this year is going to be beyond spectacular,” she said. “We really want to get bigger and bigger, bringing attention to the Las Cruces community.”

Ballew said she wanted to acknowledge the city for cultivating a culture for the arts and filmmaking.

“I was honored to be this year’s poster artist,” she said. “I went back and forth on the idea. I painted some things, I collaged some things, then went back to my roots and my design sense and was inspired by the modern and clean look of film festival posters. I just wanted to make it really fun and creative and beautiful.”

In an artist’s statement Bellew explained the elements of the poster design:

“Though minimalist the illustration contains an array of symbolism. Nighttime was chosen as a way to show the passion and energy that is reflective of the film fest. It also symbolizes the dedication of filmmakers finding light in the darkest of times and pushing through any hour to create their passions. The scenery is complemented with dark shadowy shrubs and plants that frame a camera, which is illuminated by a light-to-dark blue gradient background.

“The moon and the roadrunner were strategically colored the same yellow to show that from the earth to the moon, creativity has no bounds.”

Elva K. Österreich may be reached at elva@lascrucesbulletin.com.

If you goWhat: The Las Cruces International Film FestivalWhen: Feb. 19-24Where: Allen Theaters Cineport 10, the Rio Grande Theatre and other locations.Info:lascrucesfilmfest.comLas Cruces International Film Festival official poster designer Christina Ballew signs copies of the poster for patrons attending a poster reveal party Friday, Jan. 25. (Photo by Elva K. Österreich)Poster artist Christina Ballew and Las Cruces International Film Festival Executive Producer Marsha San Filippo pull down the cloth to reveal the design of the official film festival poster. (Photo by Elva K. Österreich)